It doesn’t mean that it is easier. You just get more followers for the same amount of work. If you will work less hard, make bad content, be less consistent, you will not get any more new followers as you did before 1k.
What happens after 10k followers on Instagram?
Once you have 10k followers, Instagram will make it easier for you to get people to your website via Stories with the swipe up to link feature. Swipe up is the only way to get a direct link from your Instagram to your other web properties. And, it’s available in STORIES, if you have 10k followers.